Ravenscroft takes high-scoring victory over North Raleigh Christian football

The Ravens weren’t bothered by the second-half fog.

As a thick layer of leftover smoke from the homecoming fireworks draped over the field at Ravenscroft to start the third quarter, the Ravens weren’t fazed by North Raleigh Christian Academy’s 53-yard touchdown.

Through touchdown-nullifying penalties, the sting of turnovers and an unyielding Knights team, the Ravens stayed cool in their 69-37 Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference victory on crisp Friday night.

It took fewer than 2 minutes for the Ravens (6-3, 2-0 TISAC) to open scoring, as the teams combined for five touchdowns in the opening period.

The Ravens shutout the Knights (3-5, 0-2) in the second, taking a 35-14 edge into the locker room. Six different Ravens scored in the win, including two kickoff returns by Devon Perry and four scores from Donald Fuller.

Turning point

Ravenscroft answering a big NRCA score to open the second half. The Knights made it 35-22 with a 53-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Rock to Mike Dunmire, but the Ravens responded with two unanswered touchdowns to complete the quarter and pull away.

Three who mattered

Donald Fuller, Ravenscroft: He was a force on the ground throughout the night, scoring four touchdowns.

Devon Perry, Ravenscroft: Had two 86-yard kick returns for touchdowns.

Mike Dunmire, North Raleigh Christian: Scored on big runs from 73 and 53 yards out. 　

By the numbers

1: Snap it took for NRCA’s Dunmire to score a 73-yard touchdown run to put the Knights down 21-14 with 2:09 left in the first quarter.

2: North Raleigh Christian freshman Jalen Brooks interceptions. He picked off the Ravens twice in the first half.

4: Ravenscroft consecutive first downs on its first scoring drive of the second quarter, capped off by a 1-yard punch from Fuller.

This story was originally published October 16, 2015 at 10:49 PM with the headline "Ravenscroft takes high-scoring victory over North Raleigh Christian football."